Rear-positioned filter mount for use with a box or cage fan for reducing dust emission and improving interior air quality

ABSTRACT

A fan assembly including a pedestal supported and upwardly extending body. A control adjustable electric motor is secured to an upper end of the body. A fan subassembly includes a peripheral and depth defining shroud communicating a rear grate with a front grate. A plurality of rotatable fan blades are operated by the motor and extend from a hub rotatably supported within the shroud between the front and rear grates such that a rear induced vacuum results from rotation of the fan blades. A filter and associated bracketry secures the filter in communication with the rear grate in order to filter contaminants attracted via the induced vacuum forces to the rear of the fan during operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/078,065 filed on Jul. 3, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a filter securable to a rear, vacuum inducing surface associated with a fan device. More particularly, the present invention discloses a rear-positioned filter associated with either a square box fan or a circular cage fan supported in articulating fashion upon a pedestal, the filter providing for entrainment and retention of dust and other airborne particles attracted via the vacuum forces generated on the rear side of the fan during operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art is well documented with examples of fan filtration and particulate entrapment devices. In each instance, the objective of such filtration articles is to work cooperatively with an air induced flow, such as associated with a home furnace/AC air plenum or a portable fan device and in order to remove mold spores, fine dust and other particulates which are often associated with habitable living spaces.

Among the prior art, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0168925, to Whittemore, which teaches a filter frame removably attached to a box fan and seating a HVAC style filter for removing contaminants from an air flow induced by the fan. Burt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,543, teaches a device for filtering air in a room equipped with a ceiling fan having rotatable blades including at least one element made from a filtering material which is interconnected between two adjacent blades of the fan by a fastening means. Additionally, Japanese Patent Publication Number 2000/051624 teaches a portable air cleaner having a box shape and including a rear situated filter element. A main front part exhibits a large number of air suction holes in the front face and a main body rear part encloses the filter element.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved filter mount for use with such as an elevated and adjustable cage fan for reducing dust emission and improving interior air quality. The cage fan incorporates a pedestal support, an upwardly extending and telescopically adjustable stem incorporating a centrally positioned motor mount and remote control, and an upper end mounted cage incorporating a plurality of rotatable fan blades. The cage exhibits a sloping forward grid surface, over or behind which is seated a filter within an associated compartment. In one preferred embodiment, the filtration compartment is seated within a ½ circular shaped frame mount associated with a rear cage surface area of the fan, this in order to maximize particulate entrapment without substantially impeding the normal air flow of the fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the filter mount incorporated into a cage fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fan shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the fan shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a pedestal mounted cage fan substantially similar to that depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a front view in partially cutaway of a circular shaped filtration element exhibiting a generally waffle like pattern for maximizing properties of both contaminant entrapment and lesser resistance to flow through of air;

FIG. 5B is a generally side profile of the filtration element shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the fan construction and better illustrating its various features including rear mounted filter element;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory illustration of a slightly modified variant to that shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is another example of a modified variant of cage fan; and

FIG. 9 is a yet further example of another variant of cage fan according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the various illustrations set forth in FIGS. 1-9, the present inventions disclose a rear-positioned filter associated with such as a circular cage fan supported in articulating fashion upon a pedestal. As will be described in subsequent detail with reference to the succeeding illustrations, the filter is designed to fit all shapes and sizes of fans, including both residential and commercial variants. The filters will further each be designed according to specifications associated with a fan motor and size, and can be designed to filter up to 99.7% of all dirt and dust particles in the air, this providing for entrainment and retention of dust and other airborne particles attracted via inducted vacuum forces to a rear side of the fan during operation, and in order to further maintain the fan unit in a substantially clean condition.

FIGS. 1-3 present a series of front, side and rear views of and pedestal supported and elevated cage fan 10 exhibiting a rear cage surface filter mount according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fan 10 exhibits a two piece elongated tubular and telescoping body, see lower tubular portion 12 and upper and inner telescoping portion 14. The lower tubular portion 12 is fixedly supported upon a floor pedestal base 16. A releasably adjustable locking nut or coupling 18 is positioned intermediate the lower 12 and upper 14 telescoping portions an in order to establish an overall height to the telescoping body.

A combination fan 20 and remote control panel 22 is disposed at an upper end of the upper telescoping portion 14, to which a power cord 23 can be communicated and upon which is secured a fan subassembly including a peripheral and depth defining fan shroud 24 enclosing a plurality of rotatable fan blades 26, 28 and 30 supported by a central hub which is rotationally driven by the electric motor 20 (as will be further shown in reference to FIG. 6). The shroud establishes a generally polygonal (see circular) shaped and three dimensional configuration and, as shown in FIG. 1, extends about an outer periphery of the front surface, between which are further situated a plurality of individual and substantially pie-shaped grid (or grate) portions 32, 34, 36, et seq. As shown, each of the grids exhibits a substantially 22.5 degree range and, as further shown in FIG. 2, extends in a substantially planar fashion from an inwardly sloping edge of the outer shroud 24.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a further circular shaped grid (or grate) 38 extends along a substantially entire rear surface in communication with the shroud 24. A circular shaped filtration element 40, see also FIGS. 5A and 5B, is provided and can exhibit any desired dimension or thickness as well as include any form of honeycomb or waffle-like pattern or design suitable for placing over the rear grid 38 of the fan shroud 24 and in order to optimally entrap contaminants and the like which are drawn by vacuum action to the rear of the fan shroud without impairing substantially the desired forward air flow current generated by the rotating blades 32-36.

The rear view of FIG. 3 further shows a lower ½ (or semicircular) circular shaped frame seating portion 42 for receiving the associated outer perimeter of the filtration element 40, and such as which further includes an outer circular frame component between which is supported the interior honeycomb or waffle/lattice type filtration structure according to any of a number of preferred variants. The side view of FIG. 2 further shows a pair of side secured hinges 44 and 46 and which can permit the fan shroud to be incorporated into two pieces for hinged opening to access the interior of the shroud, this such as further to enable cleaning of the blades or the like. As shown, the filter 40 can be mounted to an exterior of the rear grid 38 associated with the fan shroud, however it is also understood that the shroud can be redesigned such that the hinged rear can be opened to permit interior placement of the filter.

As further shown, approximately half the (rear) fan assembly is provided with a solid construction this allowing the filter to operate more effectively by creating a reliable degree of suction along a rear periphery of the assembly. As will be described in reference to succeeding embodiment, a modified pivot structure allows the upper fan construction to pivot, as well as elevate and lower, relative to the telescoping support portions and pedestal base,

FIG. 4 exhibit a fan design 48 largely similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3, with the notable exceptions of the telescoping body including a lower most and inner portion 50, this seating within an upper (internally hollowed) portion 52 about a bottom of which is incorporated a height adjusting locking nut or handle 54. The arrangement 56 of FIG. 6 substantially reverses FIG. 4 with the lower body telescoping portion 58 being an outer portion, within which inserts an upper telescoping portion 60 with a locking nut 62 disposed between the inner and outer portions.

Referring again to FIG. 4, additional features shown include pluralities of upper 64 and lower 66 heat dissipating vents associated with the surface of the electrical motor housing 20. A further rotatable coupling 68 is configured at a lower interface between the motor housing 20 and the upper end of the telescoping body portion 52, it being further understood that the coupling 68 is also capable of pivoting the shroud and supported fan blades, as well as rotating to any desired degree, this being either accomplished manually or built into the motor controls associated with the motor and housing.

The control panel 22 includes a series of buttons or switches, such as among these being associated with adjusting the speed of the motor (at 70), the fan rotating/pivoting control (at 72) as well as turning the fan on and off (at 74). Consistent with FIG. 1, the forward facing surface of the fan housing again includes an outer perimeter extending shroud 24 between which are supported a plurality of inner grid portions 32, 34, 36, et. seq. for establishing forward directed flow through of the air currents generated by the rotating blades.

Additional features are associated with the side view of FIG. 6 and which are understood as also being capable of included into the design most broadly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. These include rear position hooks 76 and 78 for securing rear edges of the circular filter 40. Alternative to hooking the filter at outer perimeter locations about its entire circumference, it is again understood and envisioned that the semi-circular shaped filter bracket as shown at 42 can exhibit a generally “U” shaped channel configuration for downwardly seating the outer perimeter of the circular filter.

A motor shaft 80 extends upwardly from the housing 20 within the interior of the three dimensional fan shroud and engages a gear 82 secured to an end of a brace 84 in turn supported upon a rear surface of the shroud. Additionally shown at 86 is an angled taper incorporated into the forward outer edge of the shroud 24. As compared to a further outer positioned taper 88, the inner taper 86 is established at a greater angle relative to a vertical forward surface of the shroud (associated with the grates 32, 34, 36) and results in better air flow distribution of the fan. A divider clamp is also shown at 90 incorporated into the shroud housing, such as again for permitting opening and closing of the shroud and as a further alternative to the hinged configuration in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory illustration of a slightly modified variant 92 to that shown in FIG. 6 and exhibiting one possible decorative configuration of shroud support 94 with inner grid pattern 95. FIG. 8 is another example of a modified variant of cage fan 96 in which an associated fan shroud exhibits a forward facing grid 98 extending to a substantially edge perimeter. Finally, FIG. 9 is a further version 100 of a fan in which, similar to FIG. 7, an outer shroud exhibits a generally flower shape or like decorative pattern 102, within which a grid pattern 104 is configured.

In each variant disclosed herein, the filtration element disclosed is capable of being easily removed from the rear vacuum induced location of the shroud housing for subsequent cleaning and/or replacement. It is further understood and envisioned that a variety of differently configured filters, clips, brackets and associated shroud designs, such as not limited to the generally circular shape shown herein, are further envisioned.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A fan assembly, comprising: a pedestal supported and upwardly extending body; a control adjustable electric motor secured to an upper end of said body; a fan subassembly supported atop said motor housing and including a peripheral and depth defining shroud communicating a rear grate with a front grate; a plurality of rotatable fan blades being operated by said motor and extending from a hub rotatably supported within said shroud between said front and rear grates such that a rear induced vacuum results from rotation of said fan blades; and a filter and associated bracketry for securing said filter in communication with said rear grate in order to filter contaminants attracted via the induced vacuum forces to said rear of the fan during operation.
 2. The fan as described in claim 1, said body further comprising first and second elongate and telescoping members.
 3. The fan as described in claim 2, a coupling positioned between said telescoping members to adjust an overall length established therebetween.
 4. The fan as described in claim 1, a power cord extending to said motor housing.
 5. The fan as described in claim 1, said shroud further comprising a generally polygonal cross sectional shape, with said front grate further comprising a plurality of individual and substantially pie-shaped grid portions extending in a substantially planar fashion from an inwardly sloping edge of said shroud.
 6. The fan as described in claim 1, said filter further comprising a generally circular shape incorporating at least one of a honeycomb or waffle-like pattern.
 7. The fan as described in claim 6, further comprising a lower semi-circular shaped frame seating portion secured to said rear grate for receiving in seating fashion an outer perimeter of said filter.
 8. The fan as described in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of peripheral defined hooks for supporting said filter to said rear grate.
 9. The fan as described in claim 1, further comprising heat dissipating vents associated with a surface of a housing containing the control adjustable electric motor.
 10. The fan as described in claim 2, further comprising a rotatable coupling configured at a lower interface between said electric motor and said upper end of said telescoping body.
 11. The fan as described in claim 10, further comprising said coupling capable of pivoting said shroud and supported fan blades as well as rotating to any desired degree.
 12. The fan as described in claim 11, further comprising said fan controls facilitating rotation of said fan.
 13. The fan as described in claim 1, further comprising a shaft extending upwardly from said electric motor within the interior of said shroud and engaging a gear secured to an end of a brace in turn supported upon a rear surface of said shroud.
 14. The fan as described in claim 1, further comprising a divider incorporated into said shroud for permitting opening and closing of said shroud.
 15. The fan as described in claim 1, said shroud further comprising first and second separable halves supported by hinges.
 16. A fan assembly, comprising. a pedestal supported and upwardly extending body, said body further comprising first and second elongate and telescoping members separated by a length adjustable coupling; a control adjustable electric motor secured to an upper end of said body within a housing; a fan subassembly supported atop said motor housing and including a peripheral and depth defining shroud communicating a rear grate with a forwardly spaced front grate; a plurality of rotatable fan blades being operated by said motor and extending from a hub rotatably supported within said shroud between said front and rear grates such that a rear induced vacuum results from rotation of said fan blades; and a filter and associated bracketry for securing said filter in communication with said rear grate in order to filter contaminants attracted via the induced vacuum forces to said rear of the fan during operation.
 17. The fan as described in claim 16, said filter further comprising a generally circular shape incorporating at least one of a honeycomb or waffle-like pattern.
 18. The fan as described in claim 17, further comprising a lower semi-circular shaped frame seating portion secured to said rear grate for receiving in seating fashion an outer perimeter of said filter.
 19. The fan as described in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of peripheral defined hooks for supporting said filter to said rear grate.
 20. The fan as described in claim 16, further comprising a shaft extending upwardly from said electric motor with the interior of said shroud and engaging a gear secured to an end of a brace in turn supported upon a rear surface of said shroud. 